Letters to the editor 11-02-16

With enthusiasm we endorse Don Cortichiato for re-election to the IWV Water Board. We have known Don for over 40 years. We’ve worked together and served on Board’s together.

Don is one of those rare individuals who is “about something”, his word is his bond, he is careful and thoughtful and hard-working.

And, he has come fully-prepared to discuss and engage on any and all issues at Water Board meetings during the last year. Much has been accomplished during the year he has served as Board President.

He talks to people, he works hard to understand all the issues, he does independent research to ensure he is fully informed on all the complex issues.

And, there are many complex water related issues facing our Water District and our Valley.

We need leadership and experience on the water board represented by people like Don Cortichiato to lead us through the next few years.

Water is critical to the future of our valley and Don knows and understands the issues facing us and will work hard to shepherd us through the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Please join us in voting to re-elect Don Cortichiato for IWV Water Board.

Don & Eileen Shibley

It's Different This Time

Editor:

I don't know if you can sense it, but I can feel, and “know” in my heart , that this Presidential election is different than all that came before. I am tired of “dynastic family bloodlines” occupying the White House. I don't want either the Bush dynasty or the Clinton dynasty, to ever again occupy the White House. When I saw the RINO Republicans doing everything they could to destroy Trump, even after he was declared the Republican Presidential candidate, I knew he was perceived as a threat by both the RINO Republicans and Progressive Democrats. I knew that Trump represented a threat to the globalist traitors in both major political parties, because the RINOs in the Republican party and the Progressives in the Democrat Party have in effect joined forces to bring Trump down. Foreign globalist leaders, who have made sizable donations to both Republican and Democrat foundations, have joined in the attack. Global corporations have paid off the majority of the politicians in both parties, and in essence “control” both parties. The Tea Party attempted to support congressman in both major parties who were not “owned” by some special interest.

Hillary can talk all she wants to about taxing the “rich”, and making them pay their fair share. What she doesn't say is that only claimed earned income is taxed. The millions of dollars Hillary and Bill received as contributions from foreign donors to the Clinton foundation, is classed as wealth, as long as it remains within their foundation, and will never be taxed as earned income. When Hillary questioned the legality of the write off's Trump took, she was making accusations against Trump that she herself is guilty off. The very rich of this world are rich, because they are able to legally “protect” their assets from taxation, within a family foundation.

I am a veteran and served during the Cuban missile crisis. President Kennedy showed real leadership in dealing with the Soviet Union. There was a very real possibility things could have gone nuclear. Thank God that Kennedy was President during that tense moment in time and not Hillary Clinton. The very idea of Hillary assuming the responsibility of Commander in Chief, is absolutely sickening.

The global controllers are desperate to get Hillary elected, and will do anything to make that happen. Rigged electronic voting machines in swing states is one of the means that will be used to give the election to Hillary. I will be voting using a paper ballot in the upcoming election and strongly recommend you do the same. Make your voice be heard and demand that only paper ballots be used in all large city centers and in the swing states.

I need a President I can believe in, and trust with our nation's vital secrets, I want a President who has a vision of greatness, and will put the country ahead of their own enrichment. I believe Trump will be that President.

— David Richter

Ridgecrest

Cortichiato for IWVWD Board

I would like to recommend my friend Don Cortichiato for re-election to the IWV Water Board.

I am a former police officer and retired sergeant at the Ridgecrest Police Department and I have

known Don over 20 years. I deeply care for our community and I have high expectations of those that are managing such a critical resource we cannot take for granted. Over the years that I have known Don I noticed his dedication, experience and integrity to his job and family. Don is the guy I know and trust is committed to preserving our valley's water.

Just a little info about Don's accomplishments. He and his wife Erma came to Ridgecrest in 1971 after he graduated from UC Riverside and began his career at China Lake. Erma became one of our very well known SSUSD school teachers and loved by many former students and parents. They recently celebrated their 44th anniversary. They have 5 daughters who graduated from Burroughs HS and went on to graduate from college.

In 2004 Don retired from China Lake with 33 yrs of service and ran for a position on the IWV Water Board. He was successful and is currently seeking his 4th term. Don listens to us, the rate payers, and is a real problem solver. With Don's past achievements, commitment, honesty and work ethics, he is the man I trust will work together with others for sustainable water in the Indian Wells Valley.

— Mike Myers

Cortichiato for IWVWD Board

We would like to take this opportunity to express our support for the re-election of Don Cortichiato to the Indian Wells Valley Water District governing board. We have known Don for over thirty years now and consider him a close personal friend. We believe that he has served the District and the water customers in this valley with dedication and integrity during his three terms on the board. We need his expertise and experience now more than ever. Please join us in supporting Don's re-election.

Bill & Flo Eichenberg

Circular logic

We’ve seen dog “chasing its tail”—chuckling as dizziness/vertigo over-powers dog’s control to remain upright as speed increases! But it’s NOT a laughing matter observing elected officials’ “circular logic” for city business!

Bless her heart, Mayor Peggy Breeden’s “circular logic” as quoted in my Letter on 25 Oct 2016—justifying her desire for “Indian Casino” in Ridgecrest, began in May2016 with “Kern County grand jury report told the city to diversify” and ended in September with “We have gambling here all over the community. We have it in the grocery stores when you buy a lottery ticket. We have it in virtually every single nonprofit who has raffles for very good causes. We have a casino here.” However, “diversify” is defined as “expand into new areas of business”

Mayor’s circular logic, City Council’s separating casino MSA decision from land sale, and majority of City Councilmembers choosing NOT to allow “we, the people” an opportunity to vote on casino decision by adding it to November’s ballot* set stage for Mayor’s continual frustrations! After September’s land sale 3-2 vote, Breeden was “embarrassed by the way this community has become so divided”! Really? Mid-April she said “for you to think we would pull a cloak over your eyes—shame on you!” and in May following 1st Casino MSA 4-1 vote, she said “it is scary to see the community divided over the casino issue”! [*Note: “April 27th at 1st Casino Town-Hall session, as reason NOT to have citizens vote for or against Casino, Mayor reported ‘cost $65,330 to put this issue on the ballot’ (but adding to November’s ballot would have cost <$5K!” EWW]

1. Lindsey Stephens whose parents were successful “small business owners” is member of Ridgecrest Planning Commission. She holds degrees in architecture studies and urban planning; and her husband is NAWS employee—planning to raise their children here! During many Council Mtgs. that I attended, her public comments regarding an “Indian Casino” plus other topics consistently included well-researched information while she displayed a balanced business, family, community perspective.

2. Wallace Martin, residing in our community 34 years with 23 years governmental experience plus 16 in private industry—learning value of “Straight Talk” and “Common Sense”! Via conversations with incumbents plus prior councilmembers, he “learned that the city needs to be more open and accountable.”

Dr. Everet W. Witzel

Yes on Measure V

“The City has spent funds properly as promised to the voters,” said Measure ‘L’ Oversight Committee Acting Chairman Ted Ribulton. “Measure ‘L’ funds have helped protect public safety services and allowed the City to address streets and road maintenance needs.”

Most of supported public safety and streets in 2012, sure some surprises passed down from the state have diverted more funds than expected to public safety. The bottom line, we were in a fiscal emergency then and things are only better because of our proactive community support of Measure L, revenue from other sources has not improved and the future is bleak. The money was spent as promised and the need remains, pretty simple, support your community and VOTE YES on MEASURE V Nov. 8th.

Megan Lukens

Yes on Measure V

Here’s just a partial list of the cuts without the passage of Measure V.

- Police Department’s budget would be cut in half

- Potential loss of 15 police officers (32 currently)

- Increase in emergency response times

Would result in cutting some of the services provided such as:

- Parade details

- Petroglyph event

- Job fair/Career Day

- Base related events

- Grant related details such as

- Minor decoy

- Shoulder Taps

- DUI Enforcement

- Youth substance abuse services

- Teen Court

- Loss of the Code Enforcement Officer

- Loss of a Dispatcher

- Loss of the School Resource Officer Program

- Loss of the Traffic Division

- Loss of a Records Clerk

- Traffic Control for events such as:

- View Finders

- Biker Blessing

- Funeral Processions

- Cerro Coso Graduation

- Burroughs High School Graduation and other events

All of the road repair budget would be lost:

The current roads in Ridgecrest require in excess of $60 million dollars to adequately repair them. The entire TAB funds have been exhausted meaning no repairs would be able to be done. The County keeps taking money from the city and we receive very little to no services in Ridgecrest. The Sheriff recently closed the Ridgecrest Jail, which requires officers to now transport arrestees to Mojave and Bakersfield on a daily basis.

How do you protect these vital services? Invest less than .25 cents per day and VOTE YES on MEASURE V, NOV. 8th.

Andy Anderson

Cortichiato for IWVWD Board

As a citizen of Ridgecrest for over 59 years, I have had the privilege of becoming acquainted with and working alongside many distinguished, hardworking and selfless individuals. Many of these people do not just live in our community, they generously “give back” to improve it. We are truly lucky to have such a knowledgeable group of citizens willing to share their expertise and talents to make the Indian Wells Valley a viable and better place to live.

Don Cortichiato, who is seeking re-election to the Water Board, is such a person. I have known Don over 45 years. I worked with him at the China Lake Navy base and served with him on volunteer boards in the Indian Wells Valley. I can personally attest to his character (honesty and integrity), dedication to the country, community, city, county, and church (president, chairperson, and active member on multiple boards), and interpersonal skills (professional, open communicator, assessable and willing to listen).
During the last twelve years, Mr. Cortichiato has served on five committees on the Water District Board of Directors where he applied skills and knowledge gained from 37 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Currently, Don is serving as Board President.
Don knows how to deal with complex issues, make informed decisions in stressful situations, and he has the time and willingness to continue on the board. Don will seek long-term solutions to supply quality water while keeping a vigilant eye on the financial aspects of decisions. He will take his responsibility seriously, research problems, solicit feedback from constituents, and present recommendations for solution to the full board.
Voters seeking additional or more detailed information, see Don’s write-ups in our local papers.
Please join me in voting for Don Cortichiato.
Margaret (Margie) Hannon